Bill > S04684

This bill establishes a new criminal offense called "aggravated criminal concealment of identity" in New York state law, which occurs when a person commits a specified serious crime while wearing a mask or face covering that conceals their identity. The bill defines a "mask or face covering" broadly as any item that partially or wholly disguises a person's face or voice, including unusual attire or facial alterations. The law applies to a extensive list of over 70 specific offenses, including various degrees of assault, sexual crimes, kidnapping, robbery, terrorism-related offenses, and others. The sentencing provisions increase penalties based on the underlying offense: for violent felonies, the concealment offense is automatically classified as a violent felony, and for other offenses, the crime is elevated one category higher than the original offense. For class B felonies, the bill mandates minimum sentences ranging from 4 to 12 years depending on the specific sentencing section, and for class A-1 felonies, the minimum indeterminate sentence must be at least 20 years. The legislation aims to deter criminals from hiding their identity while committing serious crimes and to impose stricter punishments on those who do so.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S4684